The No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners (3-0) start conference play against the Cincinnati Bearcats (2-1) on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m. (CT) at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. This matchup will make history because it is the first time the two schools have met in a conference game. Oklahoma leads the all-time series 2-0.
Storylines for Oklahoma
Can the Sooners get the running game going?
Oklahoma only rushed for 119 yards against Tulsa in week three, and they face a much tougher defense in Cincinnati. I was surprised to see Tawee Walker get zero touches against Tulsa after he looked like he might be the go-to running back after the SMU game.
It will be interesting to see if OU will be able to run the ball against the stacked Cincinnati defensive line that is arguably one of the best units in the nation.
Rushing defense will finally be tested
This game is going to be won at the line of scrimmage. The Bearcats rank No. 8 in the nation in rushing offense. Meanwhile, the Sooners rank No. 15 in rushing defense, so something has to give. We will see what Oklahoma’s defense is all about when they face this Cincinatti offense that is posting 526 yards per game.
Storylines for Cincinnati
How will Emory Jones play?
Sooner fans might remember Emory Jones, who played quarterback behind Kyle Trask in the 2020 Cotton Bowl. Dual threat quarterbacks have given OU fits in the past, so it will be interesting to see how the Oklahoma defense contains him. He threw for 265 yards and picked up 101 yards on the ground against Miami (OH) in their week three loss.
Can the Bearcats control the clock?
Like I said earlier, Cincinnati has the No. 8 rushing offense in the country. If the Bearcats can control the game on the ground, along with forcing the Oklahoma offense into multiple three-and-outs, this could be a game. The Sooners do not want to face a deficit on the road against that ruckus Cincinatti crowd.
Prediction: 35-20 Oklahoma
